Latching mechanism for locking a spring energy store

Abstract

A latching mechanism is for locking a spring energy store of an electric switching device. The store is tensioned by a rotary drive and an extensible lever system. In the latching mechanism, the extensible lever system is locked with the spring energy store under tension by way of a support element, an auxiliary lock and a primary lock, in addition to a stop that is allocated to the primary lock. The auxiliary lock can be pivoted by the extension of the lever system and the position of the primary lock during the pivoting of the auxiliary lock can be influenced by working surfaces that are allocated to one another. To configure the locking mechanism for pivoting the primary lock in a manner which obviates the use of a return spring that acts on said primary lock, the auxiliary lock and the primary lock respectively have at least two working surfaces. In a first pivoting phase of the auxiliary lock, the respective first surfaces of the two sets of working surfaces lie adjacent to one another and in a second pivoting phase of the auxiliary lock, the second working surfaces lie adjacent to one another, intermeshing in the manner of a toothed gear.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe invention generally lies in the area of electrical switches. Preferably, it relates to switches equipped with a spring-powered drive for actuating contacts, and more preferably one to be used for the configuration of a latching mechanism for locking a spring energy store.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn the case of a known latching mechanism for a spring-powered drive, in which the associated spring energy store is tensioned by use of a rotary drive and an extensible toggle lever system, the extensible toggle lever system is locked with the spring energy store under tension by a support element, an auxiliary lock and a primary lock in addition to a stop allocated to the primary lock. In the case of this latching mechanism, in which the supporting element designed as a lever is articulated on the one hand on the toggle joint of the toggle lever system and on the other hand on the auxiliary lock, the auxiliary lock can be pivoted by extension of the lever system...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a latching mechanism for locking a spring energy store in a secure way. The mechanism is designed to prevent rupture of the return spring and to allow for easy locking and unlocking. It uses an auxiliary lock and a primary lock that have at least two working surfaces. The primary lock comes into adjacent contact with a stop when the lever system is decoupled from the rotary drive. The mechanism is adapted to the tolerance range of the force needed to lock the spring energy store. The invention also includes a roller and a driver to transmit force to the auxiliary lock and control its movement. The latching mechanism is small in size and can be easily controlled."

Problems solved by technology

If there is a rupture of the return spring allocated to the primary lock, locking of the tensioned spring energy store is not possible.

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